The People’s National Convention (PNC) has bemoaned the inability of key institutions to fight for the rights of children abandoned as a result of irresponsible parenting. The opposition party said institutions such as the Social Welfare Department, Juvenile Court, Legal Aid and the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) have not been successful.
It is, therefore, calling for the immediate scrapping of ex gratia for a monthly stipend to be given to struggling single mothers. “Why are we not implementing pro-poor policies to help in assuaging the burden of women in taking care of these children since the children are the future of the country?” wondered a statement issued by General Secretary Janet Asana Nabla on Mother’s Day, May 14.
“Most of these burdens kill women prematurely so why are we not interested in cutting off ex gratia and using the resources to help single but struggling mothers, by paying them a monthly allowance to cater for their children?”
It also drew attention to the constitutional provision for a good environment for mothers at work. “We are worried that successive governments have not adhered to this constitutional demand.” Ms Nabla said a future PNC government will ensure that not only are the above implemented, but also the menace of witches’ camps and the hounding of elderly women as suspected witches will be addressed.
“We contend that women’s contributions are enormous, they are the first to wake up in the family and last to go to bed, yet little attention is paid to their wellbeing.”
